My Name is Anthony Gonsalves

Cast: Nikhil Dwivedi, Amrita Rao, Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, D. Santosh, Lilette Dubey, Pawan Malhotra, Mukesh Tiwari, Hrishita Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra, Anil Kapoor
Language: Hindi
Banner: E Niwas Productions, Sahara One Motion Pictures
Director: E Niwas
Producer: E Niwas Productions
Camera: Prakash Kutty
Story: Mayur Puri, Lajan Joseph Oommen
Screenplay: Mayur Puri, Lajan Joseph Oommen
Dialogue: Mayur Puri, Lajan Joseph Oommen
Lyrics: Sameer
Music: Himesh Reshammiya, Pritam Chakraborty
Year: 2008

My Name is Anthony Gonsalves has a script which does not have the potential to engage and capture the audiences attention for long. Moreover the screenplay is average in some places but gets monotonous and lacklustre at other points. The execution by E Niwas is average but gets slow paced at times. The film tries to merge the two genres of a thriller and comedy together. The thriller portion seems predictable and as for the humour it seems banal. The performances are average but the unimpactful script and story do not give the actors much scope. Overall the film is below average and does not entertain.

The film is co produced by Shahrukh's company Red Chillies Entertainment and others. The film has been directed by E.Niwas and the story has been written by Mayur Puri and Lajan Joseph. The music has been composed by Himesh Reshammiya and Pritam. The film stars debutant actor Nikhil Dwivedi as Anthony, Amrita Rao as Riya, Pawan Malhotra as Sikander bhai, Anil Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra in special appearances etc.

Anthony Gonsalves is a young orphan who is handed over to Father Braganza from the streets. He is brought up in Bandra by Father Braganza and works in a local pub for Sikander bhai and his cronies. However Anthony is unaware of their underhand illegal activities. Anthony's biggest dream is to become a film star and he keeps attempting to become one. Unfortunately he is often told that neither does he have the looks, height etc to become an actor. But this does not deter Anthony and he meets assistant director Riya one day and the two soon fall in love.

Meanwhile at the pub, Anthony unknowingly witnesses a murder by Sikander bhai and his cronies. From this day things take a completely different turn and Anthony's life heads in another direction. He is hounded by Inspector Khan who is investigating the case as he learns that Anthony is a witness to the murder. Anthony is then torn between being honest, being loyal to Sikander bhai and his biggest dream of becoming a film star.

The story does not have a solid concept to carry forward and hence the script turns out to be meaningless. The characters seem clichd and unrealistic. The screenplay too often loses track and moves away from the main concept. Several other issues come into the picture and the director seems to be trying to pack in a bit too much. The film drags especially in the initial portions and one wonders if any twist is actually going to happen. The climax too is stale and completely disappointing.

Many portions of the film also have a very 90's look and feel, the cinematography is just about okay in certain portions. Music is disappointing and editing seems patchy in certain places. Dialogues are average. Performances are fare, debutant Nikhil Dwivedi is average and even though he may not have the star air, he seems to have potential. Amrita Rao is fare, but her role does not give her much scope. Mithun Chakraborthy plays a clichd role and his delivery is not up to the mark. Anil Kapoor and Priyanka are strictly there to add star value. The rest of the cast is average in their performances.

Overall a poor script and fairly dull screenplay is responsible for making My Name is Anthony Gonsalves a below average fare. At the box-office the lack of big names and an uninteresting story idea may not set the cash registers ringing for the film. A below average film that is disappointing at the start of the year.

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